Frequently Asked Questions

The EIB receives many requests for information and certain questions occur regularly. If your query cannot be answered by one of the links below, please send a message to Infodesk.

Structure and Organisation

What is the European Investment Bank?

The EIB is the Bank of the European Union, and is owned by the 28 Member States. It is both a bank and an EU Institution, and supports projects that make a significant contribution to growth, employment, economic and social cohesion and environmental sustainability, both in the EU and beyond. The EIB’s headquarters are in Luxembourg, and there are external offices to support our activities, both in Europe and further afield.

What is the EIB Group?

The EIB Group consists of the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund (EIF). The EIF focuses on innovative financing for SMEs in Europe. Its majority shareholder is the EIB, while the remaining equity is held by the EU (represented by the European Commission), as well as other European public and private entities.

Can I visit the EIB?

The Bank's activities

What types of projects does the EIB finance?

The EIB supports projects that make a significant contribution to growth, employment, regional cohesion and environmental sustainability, in Europe and beyond. More information about our priorities can be found here. A full list of our financial products and services can be found here, with further information about each one.

Are there specific areas that the EIB does not finance?

In which countries and regions is the EIB active?

Details of EIB operations across the world can be found on our regions page.

Can individuals open an account or get a loan with the EIB?

No, the EIB is not a commercial bank and does not have private customers or provide financial services to individual people.

How does the EIB differ from commercial banks?

The EIB is a non-profit, policy driven public bank. It is financially autonomous and raises its resources on the financial and capital markets, mainly through bond issues. Information on how the Bank raises funds is available here.

Loan Application

Who can benefit from an EIB loan?

The EIB’s clients are public and private sector entities. Any project promoted must be in line with our eligibility criteria, and be financially and economically sound. We lend directly to large individual projects. Promoters must provide a detailed description of their capital investment and prospective financing arrangements. Further information can be found in our application documents.

How does the EIB approve a project?

A project appraisal is carried out by the Bank’s teams of engineers, economists and financial analysts, in close cooperation with the promoter. Criteria are typically tailored to each specific project. A report then goes from the Management Committee to the Board of Directors, who meet 10 times per year, for a final decision. Once they approve, the loan can be drawn down in one or more instalments according to borrower requirements.

How long does it take to get a loan?

An EIB appraisal procedure can take anywhere between six weeks and 18 months depending on the project scope, the degree of complication of an operation, and the efficiency of the appraisal process on the part of both the EIB itself and the project promoter.

Which procedures should SMEs and Mid-Caps follow for EIB loans?

SMEs and Mid-Caps are financed via intermediated loans. The EIB makes a loan to local banks and intermediaries, which on-lend to final beneficiaries. SMES and Mid-Caps should apply directly to local partners within or outside of the EU. Further information concerning EIB support to SMEs and Mid-Caps can be found here.

Can EIB loans be combined with loans from other banks?

Yes. The EIB’s contribution to a project’s cost is limited to 50% of the overall amount established during appraisal. The EIB works with other banks, either co-financing projects or in security structures

Can EIB loans be combined with EU grants?

Yes, financing may be combined with EU grants depending on the scope and definition of a particular project. More information on EU grants can be found in the dedicated section of the European Commission website.

Loan Conditions and Disbursement

What are the conditions of EIB lending?

The EIB provides loans running from approximately four to twenty years, depending on the economic life of the assets to be financed. The EIB does not publish information on the financing terms and conditions of its loans, such as maturity, interest rates and grace period. This information typically forms part of the EIB’s confidential relationship with its business partners.

What are the EIB’s interest rates?

The EIB can only make a specific quote for lending following a thorough appraisal of the project. Loan rates will also vary according to specific aspects such as currencies borrowed, amount, duration and timing of disbursement.

As well as fixed interest rates, the EIB can offer revisable and convertible rates, allowing for a change of interest rate formula during the life of the loan at predetermined dates or during predefined periods.

What are the loan disbursement procedures?

An approved EIB loan facility can be drawn down in a number of instalments according to borrower requirements. The maturity, repayment terms and amortisation profile of each draw can be chosen by the borrower at the time of disbursement, facilitating active treasury management.

Procurement

How can my company get involved in an EIB-funded project?

The tendering procedures and selection of contractors are the responsibility of the project promoter. The EIB does not play a part in these tendering procedures. The EIB does verify that a fair process of international tendering takes place according to the procedures set out in our Guide to procurement for promoters.

Calls for tender for EIB projects are published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Should you wish to gain further information on a project, the Bank would invite you to contact the promoter directly.

How can my company offer its services to the EIB itself?

The EIB is committed to respecting the fundamental EU principles regarding public procurement in its dealings with external providers, including equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency. The Bank considers that these principles can be best implemented by competition among qualified tenders and a selection based on cost and quality considerations. All new calls for tender are announced on the dedicated section of the EIB website. Further information can also be found in the Guide for procurement of services, supplies and works by the EIB for its own account.